Quick answer: To cancel Ejari in Dubai, the landlord, property manager or tenant submits a cancellation request through the Dubai REST app or an Ejari-approved typing centre, with the Ejari number, Emirates ID and tenancy contract. It costs roughly AED 40, is usually processed the same day — and until it's done, no new tenancy can be registered on the unit.
That last part is why Ejari cancellation matters more than it sounds: a Dubai unit can only hold one active Ejari. Skip the cancellation, and the next tenant's registration is rejected — stalling their DEWA connection, visa processing and move-in date.
First: cancel, or renew?
- Same tenant staying on? → Don't cancel. Renewals update the existing registration.
- Tenant leaving, new tenant coming, or unit being sold vacant? → Cancel, ideally the day the keys come back.
Unnecessary cancellations create gaps in the tenancy record that landlords may need later at the Rental Dispute Center — so cancel only when the tenancy genuinely ends.
What you'll need
- Ejari certificate or registration number
- Emirates ID of the person requesting
- The tenancy contract
- If the tenancy ended early: the signed termination or handover note
Either party can request cancellation through official Ejari channels — in practice it's usually the landlord's side, since they need the unit clear for the next contract.
Where to cancel: three channels
| Channel | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai REST app | Find the active Ejari under your properties, request cancellation digitally | Landlords & PM companies — no visit needed |
| Ejari-approved typing centres | Hand over documents; processed on the spot | Anyone preferring over-the-counter service |
| Real estate services trustee centres | Full DLD counters handling Ejari alongside other transactions | Cancellations bundled with a sale |
Cancelling in the Dubai REST app: 4 steps
- Log in and open your registered properties.
- Select the unit and its active Ejari contract.
- Choose cancellation and attach the required documents.
- Submit — confirmation typically arrives the same day, often within minutes.
The fee is small — typically around AED 40 at typing centres — but confirm the current amount at the point of service, as DLD fees are revised periodically.
If you don't cancel: the unit stays "occupied" in the system. The next tenant's Ejari is rejected, DEWA won't activate, and the move-in slips — usually discovered at the worst possible moment. For multi-unit landlords, missed cancellations are one of the most common self-inflicted vacancy extenders.
Property management companies avoid this entirely by making cancellation a fixed move-out step — the kind of task good property management software raises automatically the moment a lease is marked as ending, so it never depends on memory.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Can I cancel Ejari online?
Yes — through the Dubai REST app, no typing centre visit required. Over-the-counter cancellation remains available if you prefer it handled for you.
Q2. Does the tenant or landlord cancel Ejari?
Either can request it. Practically, the landlord or their property manager usually does, since they need the unit clear to register the next tenancy.
Q3. Is Ejari cancelled automatically when the contract expires?
No. Expiry does not remove the registration — cancellation is a separate step, and until it's done the unit can't take a new Ejari.
The bottom line
Ejari cancellation takes minutes and costs almost nothing — but skipping it costs weeks of delayed move-ins. Make it a fixed step in every move-out, the same day the keys come back.
This article is for general information. Ejari registration and cancellation are administered by the Dubai Land Department — current procedures and fees at dubailand.gov.ae. Confirm requirements at the point of service.
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